Nonlinear dynamics found in polymerization processes - a review

Each year more than a hundred million tons of polymer are produced worldwid e in a variety of polymerization processes. Most of the polymerization reac tions involved are highly exothermic so that very interesting and troubleso me nonlinear dynamics arise routinely in these processes. In this paper, th e key reaction parameters are examined for a variety of important polymers and examples are provided illustrating the steady state multiplicity, susta ined oscillations, and traveling waves which can arise in industrial reacto rs. Among the reactors discussed are stirred tanks, loops, and fluidized be ds. Some of the effects of imperfect mixing will also be demonstrated by ex amples. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.